Kratos Gets $9 Million Contract for Railgun Work

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. said on May 20 that it recently received a $9 million contract to develop two components for a railgun system: the electronics for operating the railgun, as well as high-speed projectiles that such a gun would launch.

Kratos (Nasdaq: KTOS) declined to name its customer.

A railgun shoots objects at several times the speed of sound, accelerating them with a linear motor. A projectile traveling that fast can inflict damage with its own kinetic energy, regardless of whether it delivers an explosive payload.

The University City-based holding company said that its Kratos Defense and Rocket Support Services Division received the deal from an undisclosed customer. The deal calls for the company to design, engineer, manufacture and deliver prototype projectiles as well as a fire control system. The products will to support demonstrations at sea and on land, which are scheduled to begin in 2016.